Oban is a town in Argyll and Bute. It is known as the Seafood & Sea Kayaking Capital of Scotland and probably the whole of Europe It is also shopping and drinking capital of the west coast of Scotland, and home to the excellent whisky of that name. Ferries run from here to Mull, Colonsay, Kerrera, Lismore, Islay, Coll, Tiree and the Outer Hebrides. Hence the tag Gateway to the Isles.

Culture

Alan Warner's [2]. (best known for Morvern Callar - a novel made into a film - and The Man Who Walked) novels tell the story of everyday Oban life, and how better to describe Oban than in the words of the bard himself.

By train

By Bus

Scottish Citylink, [6]. Coaches from Glasgow, via Tyndrum or Inverary. Several coaches run per day- trip takes about 3 hours, longer during peak season. Buses often run in West Coast Motors livery.

Citylink coaches also run from Inverness - see the website for more details.

By Plane

Loch Lomond Seaplanes run a daily summer service from Glasgow, landing in Oban bay [7] £149 return. Or fly to Glasgow Airport (GLA) and then take a taxi to Dumbarton Station (£10) & take the train from there to Oban.

Get around

See

McCaig’s Tower, [8]. John Stuart McCaig - "... an eccentric testator....". This tower looks over the Oban bay. It takes about 15 minutes to walk up the hill by one of several signposted routes on roads, or by steps. There are good views of Kerrera and Mull and looking up the Sound of Mull.

Dunollie Castle, [9]. Also known as Dunoille Castle. Ancient seat of the MacDougalls of Lorn. A small castle situated at the far end of the bay from the station - just walk in and up the hill.

Dunstaffnage Castle, [10]. A castle about three miles North of Oban (buses leave from outside the station). Open daily in summer 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm daily except Thusday and Friday in winter.

War & Peace Museum[11] - Museum detailing Oban's role in world wars. On Corran Esplanade, just North of the North Pier, next the Regent Hotel. Open daily 10.00 - 16.00 Mar - Nov. Free admission, donations accepted.

Sea Kayaking Tours, 8 Argyll Street, Oban (5 mins from the station behind McT's), ☎44(0)1631 565 310, [22]. This is a well known kayak school & outfitter with daily tours and also multi day trips in this stunning sea kayaking area. You can paddle right out of the harbour or they will rent you a trolley and you can take your kayak on the ferries for free £75/day.

Oban Youth Hostel, [29]. A SYHA hostel. 4, 6 and 8 bed dormitories housed in a large Victorian building, on the Esplanade. Great sea views. Within easy walking distance of the town centre.

Aros Ard[30] a guest house 15 minutes walk from the city centre with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and has won several awards. Beds between £25-28 ppn.

Kerrera Tea Garden and Bunkhouse, [31]. Not in Oban, but 5 minutes by ferry down the peninsula. On the island sheltering Oban harbour, looking out to Mull.

Mid range

Dun Na Mara Guesthouse, Benderloch, Oban, ☎01631 720233 (stay@dunnamara.com), [32]. beautiful Edwardian house by the sea with spectacular views to the Isle of Mull and informal gardens leading to our own beach, 8 miles North of Oban.

Columba Hotel, The Esplanade, Oban, PA34 5QD, 01631 562183. Rooms generally £50-80 per room. As it is on the North Pier, rooms on three sides have sea views, some rooms at the back can be noisy from the pubs below.